Published 5:30 am, Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Texans general manager Rick Smith addressed the media for the first time since the NFL Draft on April 28.

Texans general manager Rick Smith addressed the media for the first time since the NFL Draft on April 28.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Chronicle

Texans' Smith upgrades defense — even without Nnamdi

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When it came down to it, Texans general manager Rick Smith faced quite a dilemma this offseason. Signing three-time Pro-Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha made considerable sense.

The acquisition would have addressed the Texans' No. 1 need during the offseason and surely bolster a defense that ranked 29th in points allowed, 30th in yards allowed and tied for 23rd in interceptions a year ago.

But as great a player as the former Oakland Raider is, he can't play both cornerback and safety for the Texans. And Smith knew that. So he went in a different direction, one he hopes will have the Texans heading north in the win column.

Tuesday, Smith addressed the media for the first time since the April 28 draft and talked about his thought process leading up to camp.

"It was an internal decision and an organizational decision that we had to make, whether or not we were going to try to maybe make the big splash," Smith said.

"And we contemplated that decision for a few days. We felt like Danieal Manning and Johnathan Joseph would come in and really help our football team and impact us the best way."

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Landing both Manning and Joseph might be one of Smith's crowning achievements in his five-year stint with the team. And although the Texans have enhanced their defensive talent pool through free agency, the draft and with the acquisition of coordinator Wade Phillips, Smith isn't finished tweaking the roster.

"The roster is never set, in my opinion," Smith said. "We will continue to look, and I think there are some areas on our team that we might be able to improve depth-wise. You mention the fullback position and we've got a free agent in town today. Lawrence Vickers is here, visiting of course."

The Texans are in negotiations with Vickers to add depth after losing Vonta Leach to the Baltimore Ravens. Smith is also looking at defensive end Ty Warren and a veteran linebacker familiar with the 3-4, although nothing is certain.

Coach Gary Kubiak said the free-agent signings and the potential for other impact players to land with the team have heightened expectations for this season.

"Obviously to me, the last 10 days is what added to that in the fact that we were able to get some pieces for our defense that we knew were very important," Kubiak said. "You never know in free agency if you're going to get them or not, but Rick and (vice president of football administration) Chris (Olsen) did a great job, so that has added to it."

The lockout, Smith said, certainly helped the Texans develop a way to accentuate their assets which, in turn, made the team an attractive destination for free agents.

"We were able to really, really hone in on our plan," smith said. "Our preparation was so thorough, and then our guys executed."